Using the imagination is a special privilege allowed only to humans.
People have imagined various nonexistent creatures from ancient times.
As existence surpasses human knowledge, or the deputy of the God who admonishes people; Dragons breathe fire and fly; the Qulin, an imaginary creature from China, lives for a thousand years and runs across the earth, Ghosts on Ships scoop up seawater with ladles and sink fishing boats.
In modern times, with the emergence of metropolises made from iron and glass, imaginary creatures obtained the new name “Monster” and their families increased at an explosive rate.
No matter how much of a Monster freak, or rather, a Monster Expert, a person prides oneself to be, there probably isn’t a person who is able to remember all of the Monsters that have appeared on TV and in the movies. Why do we imagine so many Monsters and make models of them?
That’s right. Monsters are not simply troublesome creatures, big and oddly shaped that destroy buildings. Creation of new fantasy comes from the impact felt from seeing monsters born from the imagination.
Why is it so huge? Where did it come from and where will it go? What would it be like if it walked around the city? It’s perfect for the eerie atmosphere of the petrochemical complexes at night. How scary would it be if it materialized from behind a tall building? And so on.
These daydreams don’t have any actual purpose. However, if these imaginings are considered to be the privilege of humans, then perhaps it is these pointless fantasies that make us human.
I, myself, have created many pieces of art as a Monster Illustrator.
But my art cannot fill bellies or protect from the cold. They are pointless products of my imagination.
However, all of them are commercial art ordered by my clients, as plastic models, packaging for videos, and posters to decorate the wall. So they are useful to people and they support my life!
Imagination is not worthless!
Please meet my rare and unusual but useful imaginings.
If you are able to find fun in using your imagination, I will be very happy.

Yuji Kaida

※All lectures and programs are delivered in Japanese Only

Date:

February 24 (Sat) 2007 14:00 - 17:00

Admission:

Free (Numbered ticket is provided from 10:00)

Venue:

Lecture Hall (21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa)

Cast:

Yuji Kaida, Aya Kaida, Mari Kotani

What messages are hidden in the anomalous film genre of "Monster Film" ? Let's figure out the 20th Century's great fantasy "Monster Film" from the monster in the animation and picture-story.

"Humanics of the City and Monster - Why Does Godzilla Destroy Buildings?"

"Fantasy World of Downtown" Picture-card Show and Talk Show

Date:

April 7 (Sat) 16:00 -

Picture-card Show:

[Atomic Monster "Ganilla"] Narrated by Kyokudo Nanko

Lecture:

[Monster in 3 Chome - High Economic Growth and Monster Boom]

Draw your original monster. Yuji Kaida reviews your picture.

[Guidelines for Application]

Age limit:

None (However, the contest is divided into two categories: Children's category (Up to Junior High school students) and Adult's category (older than High school students)

How to enter:

Any art materials may be used. Draw your original monster in the paper (297mm x 420mm or smaller), add your monster's name and descriptions (100 characters or less). Bring your work directly or mail to the Communication Division of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.

Contest Judge:

Yuji Kaida, Syunichi Karasawa

Closing Date for Application:

March 20 (Tue), 2007. No later than 17:00

Exhibition:

April 8 (Sat) - 9 (Sun), 2007
Venue: Theater 21 Foyer

Yuji Kaida
- Profile
Born in Hyogo prefecture in 1953. Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts. Illustrator, living in Tokyo. Lover of Monster films and special effects movies since childhood. Started a Monster film fanzine while attending the University of Arts. Living in Tokyo after graduation and debuted as a professional Illustrator using the connections made during his fanzine activity. Primarily draws illustrations of characters such as monsters and robots for magazines, books, posters and packages for plastic models, visual software, and music software. In 1995, impacted by the movie "Gamera : the Guardian The Universe", Kaida started the fanzine activity once again. Since then, Kaida currently participates with the group “Gamera Is Here” at the Comic Market, a large bi-annual event in Japan at which fanzines are sold, and presides over the fanzine “Special Effects Are Here!
- Main job
Created about 100 packages for plastic models for Gundam series. Designed more than 100 packages for the visual software for Ultra series, and posters for the Tokyo Fantastic International Film Festival (for 4th and 15th festival). Illustrates covers for the magazine "Space Ship" since its first publication eight years ago. Illustrated the poster for the play "Goro Ni Omakase 3"（Leave it to Goro 3）for the GEKIDAN SHINKANSEN theater company. Kaida also designs characters for animated works and films.http://home.att.ne.jp/green/kaida/

Aya Kaida
Born in Chiba prefecture. Writer of erotic novels and of Otaku miscellanies.

Mari Kotani
Born in Toyama Prefecture in 1958. Critic of science fiction and fantasy works. Member of the “Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan.”